Sony STR-DA30ES

Ratings:Top:Audio/Video:Receivers:Sony STR-DA30ES

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Brand and Model:Sony STR-DA30ES
Price ($USD):799
Features:
checked Tunerchecked Ampchecked Dolby Prologic
checked Dolby Digitalchecked DTSun-checked THX Certified
un-checked 7.1 Channels
Audio Inputs:
6ch:0Phono:1
Digital Coax:1Digital Optical:4
Video Inputs:
Composite:5S-Video:5
Component:
Audio Outputs:
Speaker:0Preamp/6ch.:
Video Outputs:
Composite:4S-Video:4
Component:
Amplifier
Power (Main Speakers):80 Watts
Power (Surround Speakers):80 Watts
THD:%
Weight (lbs):lbs.
Dimensions (w/h/d):17w x 65/16h x 17d in. (width/he
Description:Equal power to all channels into 4/8 ohms (20-20k HZ) at 0.05% THD. Manual flip down front panel, 2 way LCD remote (pre-programmed)shows system status, CD titles, radio station, etc. Preamp outputs for all channels. Sony's Digital Cinema Sound. 5 year warranty.



Sony's STR-DA30ES Page

Vote Highlights Vote
Sony STR-DA30ES
These are known to run very hot. I have placed a fan on the top. The radio tuner is not selective and there is alot of multipath distortion. The total THD advertised is questionable.

Overall Rating: 5
Sound Quality:5 Features:5 Ease of Use:3 Value:5
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=405742

Sony STR-DA30ES
i have the 30 es and i love it i really like having cd titles and radio titles on the remote sounds great execpt for a little hum throuh the subwoofer outs.

really easy to use

I can't figure out why

other than that it was deffinetly worth the $400 that i paid for it.

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=26892

Sony STR-DA30ES
My full review of the STR-DA30ES is at www.audioreview.com. My review is under the name Mitchell. But here I would like to say that this reciever is superb in my listening room. I am driving a pair of Magnepan MMGs which are 4 Ohms Magneplanar speakers and the sound is wonderfull. I like everything about this reciever and also I like the remote. I have yet to hear better sound for the 460$ I paid for the unit. The sound 70 watts per channel that the reciever's manuel says in 4 Ohms does NOT sound like 70wpc, more like 85wpc in 4 Ohms. Also there are plenty of neat features but I never use then when i really listen to music LOUD. The distortion is quit low at .05 THD and sounds really clean. All in all the sound is wonderfull and I hope to keep the unit for many years to come.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=26890

Sony STR-DA30ES
THROW YOUR YAMAHA IN THE TRASH AND BUY THIS UNIT. FOR THOSE HAVING TROUBLE WITH DTS - YOU HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR DVD PLAYER MENU TO DTS AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE INPUT SELECTOR ON THE RECEIVER SET TO THE PROPER INPUT WITCH SHOULD BE DIGITAL OR COAXIAL OR YOU CAN USE THE AUTO INPUT SELECTION.READ THE MANUAL!!!!!!!!!! I USED TO RUN A YAHAMA RECIEVER AND IT WAS NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE SONY AS FAR AS SOUND QUALITY - JUST LOOK AT THE POWER CORDS AND YOU WILL SEE THAT THE SONY IS DEFINATELY A HIGH CURRENT UNIT - THE SONY IS RATED 10 WATTS PER CHANNEL THAN THE YAMAHA BUT THE OUTPUT IS MUCH BETTER , AND CLEANER .SURROUND DECODING IS ALSO MUCH BETTER ON THE SONY . I AM RUNNING A PAIR OF POLK SDA1'S AND A PAIR OF BOSE 701'S ON THE FRONT CHANNEL AND MUSIC AS WELL AS VIDEO BOTH SOUND GREAT . MY ONLY COMPLAINT IS THAT IT DOES RUN HOT WHEN I DRIVE IT WITH BOTH A AND B SPEAKERS SELECTED- BUT THAT IS ONLY WHEN I AM REALLY PUSHING IT HARD. I HAVE OWNED HARMON KARDON ALSO AND THE SONY STILL IS A BETTER BUY . THIS UNIT IS THE SAME AS THE NEW 333ES YET CHEAPER- IF YOU CAN STILL FIND ONE BUY IT .....I PAID 569.00.............

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=26888

Sony STR-DA30ES
The sound for CDs and Radio out of the STR-DA30ES is quite good. I'm happy with it driving a set of Boston speaker. The volume can be cranks and its not bad for 80 Watts per channel. The remote seems to work fine. What I am completely upset about is its inability to decode DTS! I just bought Saving Private Ryan for DTS and it doesn't decode at all! I just purchased Apollo 13 and we'll have to see. I'm driving it with a Panasonic A110 DVD. The main reason I bought this receiver was to decode DTS and now I'm unfortunately not able too. I did check the language setting and there is none for Saving Private Ryan. BEWARE! If anyone has any info, please email me at thad@galileoT.com. Thanks.

Overall Rating: 7
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=26885

Sony STR-DA30ES
A wonderful reciever. The sound can be a little too crisp at times, but performs very well. If you don't have a sub, get one because the LFE function is a wonderful thing to have. For those that are having trouble with getting the DTS to function with DVD's check which audio setting the DVD player is on (many DVD's come with multiple English tracks, some of which are Pro Logic and others DTS).

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=26884

Sony STR-DA30ES
I went through a first 30ES that developed an intermittant humm after about a week of use. The Humm went away when the unit warmed up. It was weird and I noticed that the reciever got real hot in my cabinet, I gave it very little clearance.

I called Oade and they sent me a new replacement, no problem. I probably got one of the last 30's. The new unit has been flawless. I also gave it more clearance and it isn't as hot now.

I love the sound and I hooked it up to the Solid Solutions home theatre system. I am happy with it, but can't give it a 10 due to the initial problem.

I like the remote and am getting used to it.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=26882

Sony STR-DA30ES
We bought the 30ES a couple of months ago when we finished our home theater. Love the sound. But I tried it a few days ago with a DTS version of an Apollo 13 DVD and it didn't seem to work in DTS mode. The DTS light on the front panel never came on either. Anyone else have experience with DTS DVDs?

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=26881

Sony STR-DA30ES
We (my wife & I) bought the 30ES about a month ago. The remote seemed to have the problem of the LCD cutting out the first day we hooked it up (such as has been previously reported). However, I took the batteries out, put new ones in and it hasn't done it again, since. We really like this receiver! I replaced a 10 year old "top of the line" (at the time) Pioneer, which gave us GREAT service for all those years. But, this Sony seems to be a lot nicer. More goodies. Great sound. This turned out to be a good move for us, especially since we were wanting to upgrade to AC-3 and DTS. We rated this a "10" as we haven't found anything wrong with the receiver. If the remote repeats the LCD blackout problem, I'll re-rate this to a lower number!

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=26880

Sony STR-DA30ES
Finally received a couple of DTS DVDs from Amazon.com and they sound just fine. The 30ES does indeed decode DTS.

The 30ES performs very well on Dolby Digital and DTS 5 channel sound. Music is vastly superior to my old JVC pro-logic receiver. Imaging and soundstage are more than acceptable. There are an abundance of input and outputs for both audio (incl digital) and video. I'm driving Infinity OV-1s which perform very well (bottom & top) with this receiver - hmmm, sure would like a sub woofer for that LFE channel tho... Setup is a little disconcerting at first, but once you have deciphered Sony's manual it's not too bad.

The remote works well and I've had no problem with the reportedly troublesome toggle. The remote could control my other components a little better. It does just OK on most, but will not control my Dish Network Satellite receiver.

For the price, the 30ES delivers everything I expected and then some. I'll knock off 1 pt. for lack of 5 channel inputs and the tad bright (but not fatiguing) sound.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=26879

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